Pro-school-voucher groups reignite campaign

TN legislature, split in past, will study proposal

Nov. 6, 2013

Written by

Joey Garrison

The Tennessean

State Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown

How vouchers could work

Under competing plans last year, eligible parents would have gained access to scholarships equal to the combined state and Metro per-pupil dollar amount that follows students. They could then use them to enroll their children in participating and approved private schools.

Proponents of a controversial school voucher program in Tennessee have rolled out a new statewide campaign as they look for a different result during the next legislative session.

Beacon Center of Tennessee and the Tennessee Federation for Children — which last year spent lavishly on state legislative candidates and waged an expensive voucher advertising blitz to no avail — are behind the campaign dubbed School Choice NOW.

The pro-voucher coalition, which has already held events in Memphis and Knoxville, on Tuesday stopped in Hendersonville, where a handful of parents and private school leaders delivered a familiar “school choice” message on the idea of using public dollars to attend private schools.

“There are students who do very well in the programs we offer here and other private schools, and there are students who flourish in public education,” said William Slater, headmaster of Hendersonville Christian Academy. “All those choices should be available to every single parent in Tennessee. It shouldn’t just be determined by a ZIP code.”

But in Tennessee, backers of vouchers have routinely seen their efforts stall in the General Assembly even though both chambers are dominated by Republicans, who traditionally support the concept of what proponents call “opportunity scholarships.”

A split among moderate and conservative Republicans over the scope of the program doomed legislation this past spring.

Gov. Bill Haslam supported a version that would have given eligibility for scholarships to low-income students who qualify for federal free and reduced-price meals. As many as 5,000 vouchers would have been available the first year, ramping up to 20,000 by 2016.

The most ardent voucher proponents, though, led by Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, wanted 10,000 scholarships available during year one and the eligibility income threshold to go to $75,000.

In the end, both versions fizzled, and Republicans avoided a showdown.

Prospects could be better this year, however, when the legislature reconvenes in January. Kelsey told WPLN-FM that he hopes Haslam’s voucher proposal would pass during the next session, and he wouldn’t be submitting his own.

“No, I’m very open to negotiations on Gov. Haslam’s bill, and I’m very glad that he sponsored the bill, and I’m open to negotiations on what exactly it will look like,” Kelsey said.

Meanwhile, the voucher lobby is still sizing up the politics.

Tony Niknejad, government affairs associate for the Tennessee Federation for Children, said the campaign is focused on “getting parents engaged” when asked about the type of voucher program his group supports.

“Where parents drive that conversation, we’ll wait and see,” he said. “But we’re not pushing a specific approach at this time.”